Category Archives: Belize

Coconut Cream For Sale!

March 9, 2016 Munchkin 2 Comments

Munchkin.Shouting Hello Everyone!! We went into Punta Gorda today to deliver a fresh batch of coconut cream to Green Supaul’s. Just in case you are wondering, we make it by grating the coconut:

Next, we add some hot water to the grated coconut and squeeze the liquid out. The liquid is then left to sit for some time to allow the cream to separate and come up to the top (the coconut milk is at the bottom). The cream is skimmed off and sold in these bags. One coconut cream bag (about 4oz) is equivalent to one coconut.

This is fresh, organic, vegetarian, gluten-free, locally produced and politically correct in every way! 😉

!Sabor Natural! Ja-Ja!! 😉

Belize, Farming, Food, Plants

Everything Is Blooming!

March 8, 2016 Munchkin 2 Comments

New.Munchkin.Gnome.Yellow.Boots Hello There!! More farm pictures for you all to see and the promise of wonderful exotic fruit in the next few months. The mango trees are blooming all over Toledo so it looks like it will be another wonderful “stuff-your-face-with-mango-season” this year. Our running joke on the farm is that we never started planting mango until a few years ago…which was pretty silly of us since it is our favourite fruit! Anyway, we have our first blooming mango tree!!

We have three jackfruit trees flowering this year…they should grow into giant sized monsters and we will have a bumper crop in July.

The cashews are starting too. By the way, we noticed that we have mountains to the south side which block a few hours of morning sunlight and so our trees flower about a month later than others in Toledo.

These are our cinnamon trees looking very formidable at one year. Also there is a tall ylang-ylang tree in the middle with a lemon tree to the right. I wanted to sneak this picture in to show you how good we have been at keeping the grass down this year! Ooooh…look at that!

Belize, Elixirs, Our Products

More Apothecary Pictures.

March 7, 2016 Munchkin

Munchkin.Kimono.Table I have updated The Apothecary section of our Website and finally (it has been more than a year) put in the following pictures:

This is our Body Salt Scrub range available in lemongrass, lavender, passionflower and ylang-ylang scents. The scents are all made from plant extracts or essential oils.

Here is the Foot Spa Range which is also available in the same scents. These foot soaks are ideal for soothing tired or swollen feet or used as a natural anti-fungus (Athlete’s Foot) remedy. Or you could just use it as a relaxing treat!

Last but not least, here is a picture of our Chocolate Velvet range which is available in original, orange, mint and all-spice flavours:

All labels are designed by Gnome, printed out here in the middle of the bush and pasted by yours truly. These are Authentic 100% Munchkin and Gnome products. Be aware of “Made in China” Cheapo copies!! 😉

Amusing, Belize, Food, Our Products, Plants, Soap

What’s Happening?

March 6, 2016 Munchkin

Munchkin.Sitting.Down Hello Everyone!! I have not been so regular with writing the Blog lately due to…the weather of all things! It has been dull with thick grey clouds which block the sunlight. When it gets like that I just feel, “Ugh!” and Gnome reacts with, “Oh, dear!!” and then we start a fine merry-go-round of ranting and complaining!

Munchkin.Another.Funny.Shot

Thank goodness the sun is out today and the mood has lifted. I feel more inspired to write about our usual Munchkin and Gnome activities.

We have been making a marathon run of soap. This takes the whole day with mixing and pouring in the morning and cutting (Gnome) and polishing (Munchkin) in the evening. It is a good activity to do when you want to stay out of trouble!

Gnome started a mini project to grow watercress:

And I made lotus paste mochi balls today!

Yum!! These were the mochi balls that I had promised Gnome for Chinese New Year which he didn’t get because I decided, rather inconveniently, to go on a diet plonk in the middle of Chinese celebrations. I am feeling a bit happier about my weight so I made the belated mochi balls to celebrate a good day together!

Amusing, Belize, Pets

How Many Zazen Duckies Does It Take To Change A Light Bulb?

March 2, 2016 Munchkin

Together.Pointing Answer: None. Zazen Duckies carry their own light.

Yes, the Zazen Duckies are meditating under the dappled shade of the kenip tree. They have even made a nesting spot out of old century plants…completely ignoring the modern luxury nests built to international ISO quality standards. The Duckies are doing are it “the organic way.”

Oh, what’s that funny noise….

“Oi!! WEEEE WEEEEE!!! What about us??! Has Mayor Gnome forgotten about us?!!”

Mayor Gnome’s reply:

“Personally I don’t think any of you have a clue about spiritual intent but I am willing to give you a chance. Mayor Gnome always gives chances…get ready for the big move to the Zen Garden!”

“…oh, and by the way, I contacted George Lucas…you can’t change your name to the Jedi Piggies.”

The Piggies:

“Can we change to the Ewok Piggies instead, then?”

Belize, Food, Plants

Pacaya Season Ending Soon.

March 1, 2016 Munchkin

Food.Munchkin Hello Everyone!! We’ve really enjoyed them this year. Pacaya Palm are the inflorescences of Chamaedorea tepijilote. Below are my gallery of pictures:

You just need to peel and then boil them for up to 20 minutes:

And this is how we ate them this year.

Mmmm…dipped in egg and deep-fried (Thank-you Isabel for the tip).

Cooked with Chinese Pork Soup:

The extra bits make a great garnish for my baked lentil and shitake mushroom dish:

More Pictures:

Sheer simplicity with a dollop of our own peach palm miso:

Amusing, Belize, Pets

Looking For Love.

February 26, 2016 Munchkin

Another.Munchkin.Ugly.Monster Our Goosie has finally given us permission to place an ad for him in this Lonely Heart’s post. His long term partner died three years ago of death-by-doggie and he now thinks that it is time to seek a new partner.

Goosie is looking for a longterm female goose for fun, chaos and good times. Also considering starting a family.

He has kindly given us his profile:

Name: Martin AKA Evil Goosie

Star Sign: Aries

Likes: Likes to peck small animals and children. Likes to play “pinch the dog leg.”

Dislikes: People and dogs…actually has a disdain for all living things especially if cute and fluffy.

Food: Likes all yellow things including bananas, corn and velveta cheese. Claims he is vegetarian but steals and eats chicken feet.

Political Allignment: Strong Anarchist tendencies. Likes chaos,destruction and mayhem.

Religion: Discordianism.

Favourite quote: “Kill, Crush, Destroy.”

Favourite Film: Fight Club

Relevant Medical History: Wart of Evil removed. Otherwise Fertile.

All applicants must be Geese. Please send two passport photos with application.

Amusing, Belize, Elixirs, Our Products

Elixir Tasting With Dandelion Chocolate.

February 24, 2016 Munchkin

Liqueur.Tasting.Together On Monday evening we had an Elixir Tasting with Dandelion Chocolate, a company from California. Greg D’Alesandre heads the group every year at Cotton Tree Lodge. This year’s tasting was much the same with general fun, laughs and disruption (of course!) from Greg. We attempted a “controlled brawl” under medical supervision (Ha-Ha!). 😉

Here are some pictures (sorry the “flash” on my phone is quite non-existent).

This is Greg intensely scrutinising an Elixir:

The Elixir Tasting was a success. Our gauge was the general noise level and Drunken “I Love You, Guys!!”

The Cacao Fruit Elixir was of great interest to everyone since the group are here specifically on a chocolate tour. Greg kept on murmuring about a Fireball Whisky and Ginger Ale all through the tasting. Apparently he thinks that the Lemongrass Elixir goes very well with ginger ale. And the Fireball…hmmm…not sure if that was just an obscure comment about the cacao liqueur?!

Belize, Food

Banana And Coconut Flour Patties.

February 23, 2016 Munchkin 2 Comments

Together.Eating We are making our own banana flour and coconut flour on the farm. Gnome had charged me with the responsibility of making something “yummy” with these ingredients. He actually scolded me and said,

“I know it is actually easier to use wheat flour because you know what to do with it. But you need to get used to using all these other flours that we make on the farm.”

Gnome.Glasses.Shot.Another

I replied with a sheepish smile,

“I suppose you’re right.”

Munchkin.Upset

And so I sequestered myself into the kitchen and got busy with the Gnome challenge. I came up with Banana and Coconut Flour Patties:

This recipe is gluten free as I used eggs and cornflour as the binding agents. These spicy patties contain tumeric (yellow ginger), chilli powder and white pepper which add a nice “kick” to the taste experience. I think they turned out rather nicely! This isn’t the end of the challenge though…I still need to come up with more recipes!!

Amusing, Belize, Construction, Farming, Pets, Philosophy

Zen Duckie Coup Is Ready!

February 22, 2016 Munchkin

Together

The Zen Garden is ready for the Zazen duckies and they are just in time for a Full Moon Meditation.

What perfect timing! The duckies wish to thank Mayor Gnome for his superb workmanship and stamina.

The Duckie Monastery is defined by specially chosen rocks and every single rock in the centrally placed pond was hand-picked and laid down by Mayor Gnome himself. Within the grounds century plants have been placed at each corner and there is a beautiful south-facing kenip tree which will provide dappled shade for meditation in the afternoon.

The duckies are very pleased and are ready for their 12 hour marathon meditation:

“We are ready to contemplate the meaning of life.”

Casa Mascia Apothecary